Mail packer and carrier.



M. F. GRAFTON. MAIL PAGKER. AND CARRIER. APPLIQATION'HLBD JULY 1, 1914.

Patented M2119, 1915.

' 2 SHEETS-SHEET 1 W M. P. GRAFTON. MAIL PAGKEE AND CARRIER. APPLICATION FILED JULY 1, 1914.

1 131,474:- Patented Mar.9,1915. 2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

MINNIE F. GRAFTON, 0F SON CITY, ILLINOIS.

MAIL PACKER AND OA'T' r; I

Specification of Le'tterslzltent.

retested narrator-s.

Applicatton filed I My 1, 1914. Serial No. 848,438.

, signed for the use of rural carriers.

The object of the invention is to provide a device of this character which is simple, inexpensive and eflicient in construction and use, and in which the-assorted mail may be packed or clamped against loss or displacement, while at the same time held in such condition as to permit ready 'removalof the mail matter for delivery.

The invention consists of the features of construction, combination and arrangement of parts herein fully described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawings in which: I

Figure l is a view in elevation of a mail packer and carrier embodying my invention. Fig. 2 is a side elevation. Fig. 3 is a top plan view. Fig. 4 is a vertical transverse section. Fig. 5 is a similar view through one end of the follower on an enlarged scale.

ig. 6 is a perspective .view of one end of the follower,with the associated locking bolt removed. Fig. 7 is a perspective view showing a modified construction of device, with itsparts in folded position.

Referring to the drawings, 1 designates a base plate, formed of sheet metal or other suitable material, and preferably of rectanular or oblong rectangular conformation. eoured to and rising from opposite sides of said base plate are standards or upri hts 2, preferably consisting of flat strips of sheet metal of any suitable length, and which are coextensive in dimensions with each other.

These standards or uprights are provided at spaced intervals with horizontal transverse slots or keeper openings 3, the said slots or openings in the two standards being arranged in registering relation.

The mail matter which has been assorted is rested upon the base plate between the standards or uprights, and is adapted to be adjustably clamped or packed in an assorted stack against the base plate by a follower 4. This follower comprises a strip of sheet metal or some other suitable material of a length sl ghtly exceeding the distance between the standards and provided at its-ends w th guide slots 5, whereby it is adapted to shdably engage the standards for vertical ad uStment thereon.

The follower is provided with a looped handle 6, also :preferably made of sheet metal, said handle having end vportions 7 which 'are bent at an angle thereto to rest uponand extend parallel with the follower plate such end portions-of the handle being rigidly fastened to the follower in any suita lemannenae-by the use of rivets 8.

The end portions 7 of the handle are provided with'transverse slots 9 registering with the slots5, and also formed in the said end portions are longitudinal guide slots-10mmmunicating lat-their outer'ends with the registeringslots =5 and 9and openingat their inner ends through the end portions at the points where each end portions -aPe bent upwardly and connected with the bodyof the handle. The slots 10 are closed at their bases by the follower and form guides for longitudinally sliding latch bolts 11 the outer ends of which are adapted to engage and interlock with the slots 3 in the stand-1 ards. The inner ends of these latch bolts are provided with guide slots 12 engaging screws or studs 13 carried by thefollower, and have shoulders 14 to limit their outward movement and upwardly bent lugs 15. Thelugs 15 serve as finger pieces whereby the bolts may be simultaneously restricted and are provided with inwardly ex tending retaining pins 16 to receive and hold in position a coiled spring 17 whereby the bolts are normally spread apart and proected and maintained in engagement with certain of the slots 3.

In the use of the device it will be understood thatthe package of assorted mail is placed on the base plate, the bolts restricted to permit the follower to have free movement, and the follower then slid downward into engagement with the mail matter, firmly clamping the same against the base plate to prevent loss or displacement. The finger pieces are then released, whereupon the spring will project the latch bolts to lock the follower in clamping position. By means of the handle 6 the device with the I mail matter applied thereto may then be readily and conveniently lifted and transported by means of the handle 6, and, whenever it is desired to remove a piece of mail for delivery, this may be accomplished by simply releasing the bolts, drawing up the follower to free the stack of mail matter and withdrawing the piece of mail matter designed for delivery, after which the follower may then be again disposed in clamping position.

In the form of my invention illustrated in Fig. 7 the structure is the same, except that the standards or uprights 2 are pivoted to the base 1,'as shown at 18, thus allowing the device to be in compact form for transportation, when not in use, or for insertion within a mail sack.

1 From the foregoing description, taken in connection with the drawings, the construction and mode of use of my improved mail packer and carrier will be readily understood, and it will be seen that the invention provides a device of this character by which a bag or stack of mail matter may be clamped securely against loss or displacement in assorted condition, easily handled and transported and the mail matter conveniently removed therefrom for delivery.

1. A mail packer and carrier comprising a base member, uprights rising therefrom bolts carried 2. A mail packer andcarrier comprising a base member, uprlghts rising therefrom, and provided with slots at spaced intervals, a follower slidably engaging the uprights, a handle having end portions secured to the follower and forming guide ngembers, locking bolts engaging said guide members and adapted for engagement with the slots in the uprights, said bolts being slidably connected with the follower and having finger pieces at their upper ends, and a spring disposed between said finger pieces for pro ecting the bolts.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

MINNIE F. GRAFTON.

Witnesses:

W. E. STONE, ELMA JONES. 

